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BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Year : 2009  |  Volume : 57  |  Issue : 6  |  Page : 474-475

Congenital orbital teratoma presenting as microphthalmos with cyst


Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre PGIMER, Chandigarh - 160012, India

Date of Submission23-Apr-2008
Date of Acceptance29-Dec-2008
Date of Web Publication21-Oct-2009

Correspondence Address:
Usha Singh
Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre PGIMER, Chandigarh - 160012
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.57152

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  Abstract 

We report a rare case of non-communicating large orbital cyst with microphthalmos which was surgically separated from the globe and excised. Histopathology reported it to be a teratoma. Congenital cystic teratoma should be a part of the differential diagnosis in an infant presenting with a clinical picture of microphthalmos with orbital cyst, in view of the different management required.

Keywords: Microphthalmos with cyst, orbital teratoma


How to cite this article:
Singh U, Subramanian A, Bal A. Congenital orbital teratoma presenting as microphthalmos with cyst. Indian J Ophthalmol 2009;57:474-5

How to cite this URL:
Singh U, Subramanian A, Bal A. Congenital orbital teratoma presenting as microphthalmos with cyst. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2009 [cited 2024 Mar 28];57:474-5. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2009/57/6/474/57152

A congenital orbital teratoma is an extremely rare benign tumor [1],[2] which contains a wide diversity of tissues derived from two or three germ cell layers that are foreign to the orbit. [3] The clinical presentation of primary orbital teratoma is that of an extreme unilateral proptosis with forward displacement of a developmentally intact globe by a large orbital tumor of variegated consistency in a newborn. [4] We report an unusual case of congenital orbital cystic teratoma that presented similar to a microphthalmos with cyst, not reported earlier.


  Case Report Top


A seven-month-old female child presented with history of mass lesion in the left lower lid since birth which was progressively increasing in size. Examination revealed a swelling in the lateral two-third of left lower lid, bluish in color and measuring 3 x 3 cm. The swelling was soft, fluctuant, with ill-defined borders and the surface had engorged blood vessels. It was nontender and did not increase in size on crying. The lower tarsal conjunctiva was everted and mechanical ectropion was visible [Figure 1]a. The right eye was normal. Systemic examination revealed a ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an enlarged orbit with no bone erosion [Figure 1]b. The cystic lesion occupied most of the orbit displacing the microphthalmic globe and extraocular muscles superiorly. Neuroimaging excluded any communication with the globe or central nervous system. Anterior inferior orbitotomy with total cyst excision was done. the superior part of the cyst wall was found merged with the inferotemporal aspect of the sclera. Using gentle blunt and sharp dissection under the microscope, the cyst could be separated from the globe without breaching its integrity. The eye ball was found to be microphthalmic [Figure 1]c. Corneal diameter measured 5 x 6 mm.

The specimen consisted of a flattened cyst like structure measuring 2.5 cm in diameter. It had congested outer surface and smooth inner surface. There were large areas containing multiple cysts. Microscopic examination revealed tissue derived from all three germ layers. The wall of the cyst was lined focally by tall columnar epithelium [Figure 1]d. There was neuroglial tissue which was confirmed by the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostain. Surrounding areas showed presence of fat, mature smooth muscle and nerve bundles. The tissues were mature, without mitotic activity [Figure 2]a-d.

Postoperative evaluation revealed a microphthalmic eye with no light fixation. The ocular movements were present with some limitation in abduction only. Microcornea was opaque with no view of anterior segment details. Patient's parents were explained about the poor visual prognosis and the need for ocular prosthesis. One year postoperatively there was no recurrence.


  Discussion Top


The clinical presentation of primary congenital orbital teratoma is spectacular. Extreme proptosis at birth, coupled with a developmentally intact globe and an orbital mass having a variegated appearance and consistency, is essentially diagnostic of primary orbital teratoma. [5] Clinically it is difficult to distinguish other benign and malignant neoplasms from teratoma. The differential diagnoses for cystic anomalies include microphthalmia with cyst, congenital cystic eye, microphthalmia with cystic teratoma, ectopic brain tissue and meningoencephalocele. Microphthalmos with cyst is distinguished on the basis of a small globe in conjunction with a communicating channel between it and an attached cyst. [6] Rarely, the congenital colobomatous microphthalmos with orbital cyst may not communicate with the eye and or the central nervous system. Our patient presented with an orbital cyst and clinically nonvisible microphthalmic eye simulating the clinical presentation of a microphthalmos with cyst. Given the above clinical situation, diagnosis of teratoma was least considered. Intraoperative examination revealed microphthalmic eye along with an orbital cyst.

Histopathologically, teratomas are benign growths of mature and immature tissues characterized by aggregations of well-differentiated tissue of diverse germ cell origin. [7] The predominant germ cell type observed in orbital teratomas is surface ectoderm, producing squamous epithelial-lined cysts filled with keratin, adnexal structures such as hair follicles, and sweat glands. Neuroectodermal structures include grey and white matter of the brain, primitive neural tubes, ocular primorida, choroid plexus, and ganglia. Mesoderm is the next most common germ cell layer, represented by such tissues as muscle, bone cartilage, and fat. Endoderm is the least common and usually manifests as gastrointestinal tissue or as cysts lined by respiratory type pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium. Whereas the microphthalmos with cyst is a two-layered structure. The inner layer is composed of a gliotic neuroretinal tissue that may show retinal architecture, photoreceptor differentiation, or rosette formation. [8] The outer layer consists of vascularized connective tissue and may occasionally contain cartilage. In our case the cystic lesion had derivatives from all three germ cell layers and as per Duke-Elder's, [9] one of the five-point classification for orbital teratoma [Table 1], a tumor consisting of all three germinal layers would be a teratoma.

In conclusion, though congenital orbital teratoma is characteristically associated with a developmentally normal globe, rarely the globe could be microphthalmic. Orbital teratoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a child presenting with an orbital mass and a small or unrecognizable eye. In such cases prompt surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

 
  References Top

1.
Levin ML. Leone CR.Jr., Kincaid M C.. Congenital Orbital Teratomas. Am J Ophthalmol 1986;102:476-82.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Ferry AP. Teratoma of the orbit: A report of two cases. Surv Ophthalmol 1965;10:434-42.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.
Assalain A, Allare G, Codere F, Polomeno RC., Brochu P, Delisle P. Congenital orbital teratoma: A clinicopathological case report including immunohistochemical staining 1994;29:30-3.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Hoyt WF, Joe S. Congenital teratoid cyst of the orbit. Arch Ophthalmol 1962;68:76-81.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Mamalis N, Garland PE, Argyle JC, Apple DJ. Congenital Orbital Teratoma: A review and report of two cases. Survey of Ophthalmology 1985;30:41-6.  Back to cited text no. 5
[PUBMED]    
6.
Garcia LM, Castro E, Foster JA, Green RW, Traboulsi EI. Colobomatous microphthalmia and orbital neuroglial cyst: Case report. Ophthalmic Genet 2002;23:37-42.  Back to cited text no. 6
[PUBMED]    
7.
Bilgic S, Dayanir V, Kiratli H, Gungen Y. Congenital orbital teratoma: A clinicopathologic case report. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 1997;13:142-6.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Waring GO 3rd, Roth AM, Rodrigues MM. Clinicopathologic correlation of microphthalmos with cyst. Am J Ophthalmol 1976;82:714-21.   Back to cited text no. 8
[PUBMED]    
9.
Duke Elder S. System of Ophthalmology, Normal and Abnormal Development, Congenital deformities. Vol 3, Part 2. St Lois: CV Mosby; 1963. p. 967-4.   Back to cited text no. 9
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1]


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